How is cancer detected?

Regular screening already detects some cancers in their early stages - for example smear tests for cervical cancer and mammograms for breast cancer. In the future, a simple blood or urine test could detect many other cancers very early on. Lifestyle changes or medicines could then help prevent serious problems later in life. Couples who have a history of inherited cancer are already screening potential embryos to ensure they have a child without the high-risk gene.